Visfatin is a crucial adipokine, which also regulates ovarian functions in many animals. Mice estrous cycle is characterized by a dynamic complex physiological process in the reproductive system. Expression of various factors changes during the estrous cycle in the ovary. To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has been conducted on the expression of visfatin in mice ovaries during the estrous cycle. Therefore, we investigated the localization and expression of visfatin protein in the ovary of mice during the estrous cycle. Western blot analysis showed the elevated expression of visfatin in proestrus and lowest in diestrus. Immunohistochemical localization of visfatin showed intense staining in the corpus luteum of proestrus and diestrus ovaries. Thecal cells, granulosa cells, and oocytes also showed the presence of visfatin. Expression of ovarian visfatin was correlated to BCL2 and active caspase3 expression and exhibited a significant positive correlation. Furthermore, in vivo inhibition of visfatin by FK866 in the proestrus ovary down-regulated active caspase3 and PCNA expression, and up-regulated the BCL2 expression. These results suggest the role of visfatin in the proliferation and apoptosis of the follicles and specific localization of visfatin in the corpus luteum also indicate its role in corpus luteum function, which may be in progesterone biosynthesis and regression of old corpus luteum. However, further study is required to support these findings. In conclusion, visfatin may also be regulating follicular growth during the estrous cycle by regulating proliferation and apoptosis.

内脂素是一种重要的脂肪因子，它还能调节许多动物的卵巢功能。小鼠发情周期的特点是生殖系统中一个动态复杂的生理过程。在卵巢发情周期中，各种因素的表达会发生变化。据我们所知，之前没有对发情周期期间小鼠卵巢中 visfatin 的表达进行过研究。因此，我们研究了发情周期期间小鼠卵巢中visfatin蛋白的定位和表达。蛋白质印迹分析显示内脂素在发情前期的表达升高，而在发情期最低。visfatin 的免疫组织化学定位显示在发情前和间情卵巢的黄体中强烈染色。鞘细胞、颗粒细胞和卵母细胞也显示出内脂素的存在。卵巢内脂素的表达与 BCL2 和活性 caspase3 的表达相关，并表现出显着的正相关。此外，发情前卵巢中 FK866 对 visfatin 的体内抑制下调了活性 caspase3 和 PCNA 的表达，并上调了 BCL2 的表达。这些结果表明内脂素在卵泡增殖和凋亡中的作用以及内脂素在黄体中的特异性定位也表明其在黄体功能中的作用，这可能与黄体的黄体生物合成和退化有关。然而，需要进一步的研究来支持这些发现。总之，内脂素也可能通过调节增殖和凋亡来调节发情周期期间的卵泡生长。